Interesting photos and commentary (in French) here:
http://www.26in.fr/news/28106-shimano-2015-xtr-p...

Chrome users can get a useful english translation by turning on the auto translate feature.

Comments on crank aesthetics not particularly complimentary!

After a long period of procrastination over brands, specs and weight it was finally time to strike and procure the steed for this season.

First stop was a shop in Manly - courteous but no 2014 small frames in stock and none would come in either. How strange is that? It is february 2014 with another 10 months to go and its sold out?

Second stop was a shop in North Sydney that sells Merida as the Big Ninety Nine 3000 D was on the list. I've seen online that the 2013 model was around so I asked them if there were any 2013 small frame available.

Folks, just in case someone has happened across this, would be good to get back.

Loop went like this, Bantry Bay road, through to Seaforth Oval, up and across to do the dam along Wakehurst, then across and up through the single track between Wakehurst and Bantry Bay road.

Hi Guys

I've got a trip coming up where I will have 4 days spare to get from Toronto to Redmond so am planning to divert via Whistler for a few days. Does anyone have experience there that can provide a bit of a feel for the style of riding and tips, must do's and things to avoid?

I gather it's much more of an all mountain park so it will be a challenge for me who is more XC and pedalling oriented but it sounds like great fun. The giveaway is on their rental page where they consider a trance to be a XC bike before you move into the 'real' bikes

cheers
d

Any advice would be great.

[Mod. moved to Northern Beaches as this is location specific]

Hi all, the sport science department of the University of Newcastle is currently putting together a series of research studies that will take place over the next year or two.

We are looking for well-trained male cross-country cyclists aged 18-35 to participate in these studies.
EDIT: well-trained meaning elite/A-grade or expert/b-grade or training around 10+ hours per week

The first of these studies will only require one session of cycling on a cycle ergometer lasting 45min - 1 hour. This can be done either in Newcastle or Central Coast at a time that suits you.

Completely sweet!

http://youtu.be/JYorg9TDeXM

I rode Awaba for the first time at the weekend - was great - but encountered some motos at a trail intersection just after that short sharp (black mountain?) climb.

Didn't see them riding the MTB trails but just wondered if the area is open to motos or not? Wasn't sure if there were moto specific trails around there so didn't say anything to them at the time.

Anyone know where to buy some knee pads by next wkend, not many shops sell any but if you know of one please let me know.
CRC or the likes won't delivery in time... tied a few online local stores but not many options in a size large.

[Mod. moved to Shopping]

Has anyone modified from 2x10 to 1x10 before? I am thinking to replace 36t single ring at front, the smallest I can get for 120bcd crank and add 42 tooth cog at rear. What does feel like? Enough low gear to climb hill? Do I need to adjust derailleur much? I don't really want to spend $1.2k for SRAM xo1 upgrade.

PS. My crank is race face next 28 x 40. Another question is if I can fit the single ring for smaller spider as assume bigger spider. Thanks. Photo attached.

I saw this in Melbourne when I was down there last week, thought it was an interesting idea.

Anyone done a lap of the dam today? I was thinking of heading that way tomorrow morning.